FROM THIS EPISODE

Just after breakfast this morning in Sacramento, Jerry Brown delivered his annual State of the State speech as required by the Constitution. We hear what he said about various issues, what he didn't say, and what his dog, Sutter, had to do with it. We talk with a speechwriter for a former Republican governor about Brown's chances of serving a record fourth term if he runs again this year. Also, House Speaker John Boehner comes to Bakersfield, with a different message about the drought in California.

Later on To the Point, in Switzerland today, preliminary Syrian peace talks produced a chorus of dissonant voices, a fitting start to a process likely to fall well short of ending the civil war. We hear what's at stake for the US, Russia and the Middle East region, and whether there's any relief in sight for the victims of brutal violence on a massive scale.

Other Governors have filled annual State of the State speeches with new ideas, with delivery timed for the evening broadcasts of local TV news. Jerry Brown is different. At 9 o’clock this morning, he addressed the state legislature for 17 minutes, reinforcing familiar themes. To emphasize prudent spending and the need for a rainy-day fund, he used a quote from the Bible. While he didn't specifically define the "state of the state," he did say that California is making a "comeback," with a million new jobs since 2010, a budgetary surplus and a rise in the minimum wage. Still, he reminded, one uncertainty we can’t control is the weather, exemplified by the current drought. He also referred to the order of federal courts, backed by the US Supreme Court, that overcrowding of state prisons must come to an end.

Speaker John Boehner held a news conference this afternoon in Bakersfield, advocating emergency drought legislation in Congress. Sasha Khokha is Central Valley Bureau Chief for KQED public radio in San Francisco. Bettina Boxall reports on the environment for the LA Times.